Newcastle XI prediction: Defender returns, Carroll starts vs. Newport

Newcastle United will be back in action on Wednesday as they aim to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

It will be a busy week for Newcastle United as they are set to play the second of three games in one week. The Magpies are coming off a tiring defensive performance that saw them steal a point against Tottenham in London, and they will now suit up to face Newport County.

The League Two outfit will host Newcastle United at Rodney Parade on Wednesday night, and they are looking forward to the challenge after eliminating Watford last time out.

Steve Bruce’s men struggled against inferior opposition in domestic cups last season, but the following lineup is expected to get the job done.

Lineup Prediction

Formation: 4-4-2

After an impressive shift between the sticks in London on Sunday, Karl Darlow will get some rest as Mark Gillespie will make his third consecutive start in the competition.

The back line in front of him will see three changes as Javier Manquillo, Jamal Lewis, and captain Jamaal Lascelles will be saved for the Burnley game on Saturday.

In their place, fans should expect Emil Krafth and DeAndre Yedlin to set up shop on the wings, and Swiss international Fabian Schar will return to play alongside Federico Fernandez after being a full participant in training.

The quartet in midfield will consist of players who are eager to see more action from the opening whistle, or are attempting to prove to Bruce that they are fully fit.

That being said, the starting wingers will be Ryan Fraser and Jacob Murphy. The duo in the middle of the park is more difficult to predict, but it will have to be Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff in order to maintain possession for longer periods.

Completing the lineup in the final third will be the tall duo of Andy Carroll and Joelinton. Seeing what Newcastle United did to Morecambe last week, Bruce knows (hopefully) that there is no reason to risk Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron in this game.

The Magpies are expected to cruise past their opposition on Wednesday, and in order for them to claim three points against a Burnley side that is searching for their first win, Bruce will need to rest his main players.

Recap

Gillespie; Krafth, Schar, Fernandez, Yedlin; Fraser, Hayden, Longstaff, Murphy; Carroll, Joelinton.